Apply for the UNDP Fellowship: Futures Fellows (home based, more than one position)

Ednah Carrick October 10, 2024

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Closing Date: 22 October 2024

Apply for the UNDP Fellowship: Futures Fellows (home based, more than one position)

Background

UNDP works in 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-25 aims to build a more agile, anticipatory UNDP that embraces complexity, actively manages risk, continually adapts and seeks to learn alongside delivering results.

Strategy and Futures (S&F) Team Background

The Strategy and Futures (S&F) Team in the Executive Office supports the UNDP Administrator in building a more agile, anticipatory UNDP, alert to the trends and changes of an uncertain world and ready to respond to many different futures. The S&F Team is responsible for two pillars of work: strategy and futures. The pillars intersect and inform each other.

The strategy pillar is responsible for shepherding the Strategic Plan and for providing direction to the corporate systems that underpin our planning and reporting. This includes developing the organization’s strategic plans and driving the midterm review of the plans. The futures pillar’s focus is to connect, cohere and amplify the various futures efforts across UNDP, linking people and resources of knowledge and experience, and to establish a futures ecosystem, enabling UNDP to achieve stronger development impact. This includes providing support to UNDP Country Offices worldwide on futures.

Futures Fellows Duties and Responsibilities

The Futures Fellows will carryout the following tasks:

Identify and interpret signals and trends Support the scaling up of UNDP’s “Future Trends and Signals System” (FTSS), and keeping community of signal scanners alive. (The FTSS is the UNDP private platform where UNDP staff capture signals of change (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, values) relevant to UNDP’s mission.)Receive (and later provide to others) training on using the system.Scan weekly for signals across various geographies and themes. Research the background to signals and themes identified as significant.Support sensemaking from the FTSS: grouping and categorizing signals; identifying emerging trends; generating insights and meaning for UNDP.Support and lead regular “Signals Studios” where UNDP staff meet to discuss the insights they extract from the FTSS, and how they can use them productively	25%
Support the integration of foresight into UNDP’s work Support collaboration between the S&F team and other parts of UNDP (Regional Bureaus and Country Offices) aimed at embedding futures and foresight in their work (eg workshops to examine their strategy through a foresight lens) Use various futures methodologies to integrate futures and foresight into UNDP decision-makingHelp to design and deliver effective communications on futures and foresight throughout UNDP and beyond (eg slides or videos for presentations, written guidance)Help to deliver training on futures and foresight for UNDP staffContribute to or lead on other reports, case studies, toolkits, blogs or other resources on foresight for UNDP	25%
Support strong networks on futures and foresight Support maintenance of the UNDP Futures Portal, a one-stop-shop resource for futures & foresight on the UNDP intranetHelp to keep the UNDP Futures Network energetic and active, and to expand beyond UNDP to other UN agencies, external partners etc	20%
Add new & creative thinking to the S&F team Offer diverse perspectives by providing honest and authentic thinking on futures methodologies and on future of development trends Capture and document UNDP’s journey around using strategic foresightSupport other activities as relevant and needed	15%
Contributing to the link between Strategic Planning and Futures Conduct research to support the strategic planning process, with a focus on the formulation of the upcoming UNDP Strategic Plan (2026-2029).Provide support in scenario development and stress testing the Strategic Plan through the application of foresight methodologies to anticipate potential challenges and opportunities.	15%

Competencies

Offers creativity and innovative thinking

Strong interest and motivation in working on futures and in an international organization
Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation
Can analyse quantitative data and draw lessons/insights from their analysis

Initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set
Communicates effectively, orally and in writing, when working in teams
Good at organizing and structuring a mix of tasks and responsibilities

Meets deadlines
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view

Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Expected start date: January 2025

The UNDP Fellowship Program is designed to offer diverse individuals exposure to development issues and UNDP’s daily operations while simultaneously providing UNDP with additional skills and expertise to support its activities and mandate.

Monthly stipend: Fellows will receive a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses during their fellowship period. The amount will be based on the location of the fellowship and prorated based full-time/part-time status. This is a stipend, not a salary. There are no entitlements payable for dependents/family.
Fellows will further be offered health insurance and paid leave prorated accordance to full-time/part-time status.
Home based: Fellows will be expected to work remotely; no relocation is required.

Hours worked: Fellows will have the option to work full-time (40 hrs/wk) or part-time (20 hrs/wk). Please specify your preference in your application and why. Your choice will not impact your application.
There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following a fellowship.
Status of fellows: Fellows are not considered “staff members” nor “officials” of UNDP. Although Fellows are not “officials” of UNDP, fellows must comply with the standards of conduct set forth in their fellowship agreement and respect the impartiality and independence required of the United Nations and UNDP

Further conditions in accordance with the governing UNDP Fellowship Policy, and outlined in the final Undertaking Letter subject to successful selection.

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

Currently enrolled in a Master’s or other advanced degree in social sciences, such as public administration, economics, international relations, political science, futures studies, behavioural science, development studies or a related area; or

Completed an advanced degree within the last 3 years

Academic (or equivalent professional experience) in futures studies or foresight is desirable; however, practical experience on futures is equally as valuable.

Work Experience:

Candidates must have at least one year of work experience

Experience in futures, strategic foresight, or systems thinking and design is highly desirable
Experience in disciplines outside of international development will be considered favorably

Required Skills:

Self-Motivated and Proactive: Ability to work independently with a can-do attitude, taking initiative and driving tasks to completion without direct supervision.

Fast-learner: Ability to quickly learn new concepts, including adapting to new tools and technologies.
Data Literacy: Strong aptitude for working with data, including the ability to analyze, interpret, and utilize data in decision-making processes; including familiarity with data management tools, such as Airtable, Microsoft Lists, Google Sheets, Microsoft Forms, and other advanced tools.
IT Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office productivity tools, including Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Word.

Digital Proficiency: Familiarity with digital tools, platforms, and technologies relevant to the role.

Desired Skills:

Marketing Skills: A marketing mindset is essential for writing and promoting case studies, energizing the Futures Network and encouraging adoption of Foresight within the organization.
Graphic Design Proficiency: Strong ability to create visually appealing and effective graphic materials that support strategic initiatives.

Strategic Design Expertise: Demonstrated experience in applying design thinking and innovation to develop strategic solutions.
Experience in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI): Experience or knowledge in the field of science, technology, and innovation
Proficiency in Miro, Workshop Facilitation and Visual Collaboration Tools: Experience using visual collaboration platforms such as Miro to facilitate team collaboration, workshops and brainstorming.